Conor McGregor has reached a settlement with former sparring partner Artem Lobov regarding a lawsuit over the Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand. Lobov had filed suit demanding a share of profits after McGregor sold his stake in the company to Proximo Spirits in 2021 for more than $130 million. The case was scheduled for hearing in Dublin High Court on Wednesday, but the parties reached an agreement before it went to trial. McGregor's attorney read a statement saying McGregor was satisfied with the resolution and could now focus on training for his upcoming summer fight. Lobov stated he was happy with the outcome, though the specific terms of the settlement were not disclosed. McGregor did not attend the court proceedings and has not fought since his July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier due to a leg fracture.
Conor McGregor and former training partner Artem Lobov have reached a legal settlement over a dispute tied to the Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey brand, with both parties agreeing to terms before the case could proceed to trial at Dublin High Court.
Lobov had brought the lawsuit seeking a share of profits from the brand's sale. McGregor sold his stake in Proper No. Twelve to Proximo Spirits in 2021 for more than $130 million, and Lobov argued he was entitled to a portion of that windfall. A statement read by McGregor's attorney indicated the 37-year-old Irishman was satisfied with the resolution and is now focused on preparing for a planned summer fight. McGregor, who carries a professional record of 22-6-0 and competes out of SBG Ireland, did not appear in court. He has not fought since suffering a leg fracture in his July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier.
Lobov, also 39 years old and a longtime SBG Ireland teammate of McGregor's, holds a career record of 13-15-1 and is known in MMA circles as "The Russian Hammer." He said publicly that he was happy with the outcome. The specific financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed by either side.
Poirier, the American Top Team veteran whose victory over McGregor remains the last time "The Notorious" competed, carries a record of 30-10-0 at 37 years old and has long established himself among the elite of the lightweight division.
Why it matters
- McGregor's legal slate clears ahead of his stated return to competition this summer
- The settlement keeps the financial terms private, leaving the full scope of Lobov's claim unresolved in the public record
- McGregor has not appeared inside the octagon in nearly five years, making any confirmed return significant for the lightweight and welterweight divisions
